The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladesh left-armer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. Devajit Saikia, the board’s secretary, confirmed the move on Saturday but did not spell out the precise trigger.
“Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement,” he told ANI.
Indian media have linked the decision to criticism from some religious and political figures who object to Mustafizur’s involvement while reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh circulate. The board has not commented directly on those claims, and there is no formal statement from Knight Riders yet.
Timing is awkward. Only a day earlier the Bangladesh Cricket Board published its 2026 home schedule, featuring India’s long-delayed white-ball tour in March (three ODIs, three T20Is). No fixtures clash with the first fortnight of the IPL, though any fresh diplomatic tension could still cloud that visit.
Mustafizur is no stranger to the league. Since debuting for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016 he has also turned out for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, taking 65 wickets from 60 matches. KKR paid INR 9.2 crore for him at last December’s auction, part of a broader refresh that brought in Akash Deep, Sri Lanka quick Matheesha Pathirana and Australia’s Cameron Green.
At present the 30-year-old left-armer is playing the Bangladesh Premier League for Rangpur Riders. He remains the only Bangladeshi signed up for this IPL season; several others went unsold.
The BCB is expected to respond shortly. Knight Riders may seek another overseas bowler once the paperwork for Mustafizur’s release is complete, but any replacement will need BCCI approval. For now, the franchise faces an unwanted hole in its attack with little more than three months to opening day.
More to come as statements land.
